Millwall boss Rowett: We’ll probably name stronger side for EFL Cup tie against Crawley Town

Millwall manager Gary Rowett reckons the EFL Cup might benefit from clubs treating it as a tune-up for the next season – because a lot will field their strongest side in next weekend’s competition.

The Lions head to Crawley Town in the first round of the tournament on September 5.

And after that comes the Championship opener at home to Stoke City on September 12.

Millwall will be missing new signing Troy Parrott and Shane Ferguson for the tie in West Sussex after international call-ups by the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland respectively.

A lot of Premier League and Championship clubs have tended to make wholesale changes for the EFL Cup.

But Rowett said: “I think it will change our thinking slightly.

“Normally the first round is an opportunity to play some who didn’t play the first league game.

“So it will probably strengthen up the competition. Most teams will do the same – put the side out that they want to play next weekend, or something close to it.

“I won’t say it is the last warm-up game – it will be competitive and we want to win any game.

“This year might be slightly different. There are so many midweek games and matches that maybe the cup will be one that clubs will be conscious of overloading their players as well.

“But certainly for the first round we want to put a very, very strong side out – just like Crawley will.”